Inspired by Rachel Carson's vision, Nature Forward's youth programs are designed to spark curiosity, joy, and discovery. Days Off Camp kicks off next week — if your child is off October 2, we’d love to welcome them for a day of exploration and hands-on fun 🔗 natureforward.org/program/day-...

Today marks the 63rd anniversary of Rachel Carson's influential book, Silent Spring, that kickstarted the modern environmental movement. The ideas written about in Silent Spring are still relevant today as we continue in our work to protect and advocate for nature!

Hmm, where do frogs come from? Why do birds migrate? Whose fur is that? Ask all these questions and more at Woodend’s Nature Play Space THIS SATURDAY, September 27 between 10am and noon for free, family-friendly📍8940 Jones Mill Rd, Chevy Chase, Md.

It’s Fall🍁Our GreenKids educators are engaging MCPS high school biology classes in outdoor learing. Over the year, we will work with thousands of students to better understand the health of our shared waters.

Next month — when school is closed, nature is open for fun! We're so excited to welcome campers back to Woodend for exploration, learning, and fun! If you’ve registered for our October 2 Day Off Camp, be sure to tell a friend — the more, the merrier! Details here: natureforward.org/program/day-...

@JonBatiste ‘s climate song is “a warning set to a dance beat.” The video is out - let’s make it viral. jonbatiste.com/petrichor #ClimateWeekNYC

Hello and welcome to another Monday morning meandering ! Today, we are introducing our two new Maryland Climate Corps members, Esö and Bella! Maybe you’ll see them around!

🍂 Fall is Here — and So is Pumpkin Spice Season! 🎃 Celebrate sweater weather and all things pumpkin by treating yourself to the Birds & Beans limited edition, 100% Bird Friendly, Organic Pumpkin Spice Roast. Shop in person or online: natureforward.org/shop

Find Nature Forward’s table at the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly and DC VOAD’s Open House on September 29 — we look forward to meeting you!

#OTD in 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico. Ada Monzón became a lifeline for over 3 million people, delivering vital information. In 2018, she was named National Weatherperson of the Year. The next year, she joined us at the Naturally Latinos Conference. What an honor

Today’s visitor—spotted by our wonderful preschool team—is reminding us to hop into the weekend! (Gray Tree Frog, Dryophytes versicolor) To our delightful preschool families: we’ll see you back on Monday, the first day of fall!

The DC Council approved the Washington Commanders' return to the RFK site with $1B in taxpayer subsidies for the team's owners. But what about the health of the Anacostia River and affordable housing? Read our full statement here: natureforward.org/sustainable-...

Meet our Preschool Director - Dr. Rose Brusaferro! Rose researched environmental literacy and human-nature connections. Our preschoolers experience so much joy every day…naturally! Our next preschool open house on Oct. 20. Sign up here to learn more and enroll your child: tinyurl.com/2mr234w2

Happy National Pawpaw Day! North America's largest fruit can be found all over the DC area in the early fall. You can collect up to half a gallon from Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, or you can stop by the Annual Maryland Pawpaw Fest in Frederick!

In the News: Our own Lydia Lawrence was quoted in a story about the growing presence of data centers in Maryland. Nature Forward is proud to stand alongside others advocating for sustainable data center development. Our thanks to everyone speaking up on this important issue. tinyurl.com/4v4k5844

Preschoolers need more outdoor time. If you agree, please tell your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors to mark their calendars. The Nature Forward Preschool Fall Open House is Monday, October 20, 2025, from 10 to noon. Please RSVP: tinyurl.com/5ayn2uj7

What’s at Woodend this Wednesday? We are excited to feature Woodend’s resident red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Bob! We're so glad he's here. Next time you’re at Woodend keep an eye out for him! (He is likely snacking on local sourced rodents)

Join Nature Forward at @earthsangha.bsky.social's Fall Open House & Native Plant Sale on Sunday, Sept. 21, in Springfield, VA! We're excited to be part of this fantastic event with other inspiring orgs. Stop by our table to say hello and chat about native plants, invasives, and local conservation!

The W&OD Trail is a Northern Virginia treasure at risk. Yet Dominion’s clear-cutting and a potential long-shot commuter rail proposal could significantly change this important corridor. This op-ed explains why we must act now to protect the trail: ggwash.org/view/100790/...

See you soon!

Join us Sept. 20 from 9-11 at Woodend Sanctuary, 8940 Jones Mill Rd, Chevy Chase MD. This free bilingual event is hosted by American Bird Conservancy, DC Bird Alliance, and Nature Forward's #NaturallyLatinos and #TakingNatureBlack Conferences. tinyurl.com/5n7873d4

What's at Woodend this Week? Two weeks ago, a large branch landed on our fence and an intruder got in! To ensure our forest management can continue successfully, it is important that Woodend stays deer-free. Soon, the restoration team will take action to make sure the deer leaves safely.

In ugly times, we need to seek beauty in tiny things. The first of my new column on how we rehumanize focuses on the sublime beauty in grass flowers and other ordinary things -- as long as we pause to look. Gift link. wapo.st/4pm7wVU

Birds aren’t the only ones on the move—mammals are busy prepping for winter! 🐿️ Dive into their fascinating world. 📅 Mammals of the Mid-Atlantic, with Kerry Wixted, starts Mon, Sept 15 🕑 Register by Fri, Sept 12 at 2 PM 🔗campscui.active.com/orgs/NatureF...

WATCH: WUSA9’s latest story highlights residents' concerns over a proposed data center at the old Landover Mall site in Prince George's County. Our own @angie22mccarthy.bsky.social weighs in and raises an important point about what could happen down the line. ​ youtu.be/xHEw2p-vMrg

Today, on the anniversary of 9/11, we honor all the lives lost on that tragic day. Rich Guadagno was a devoted conservationist. After celebrating his grandmother’s 100th birthday, he boarded Flight 93 to return home. Learn more about his life: bit.ly/46txCyJ 📷: USFWS

Nature Forward Maryland Conservation Advocate Angie McCarthy is quoted in this story 👇 🔗 technical.ly/workforce/ma... Angie is also representing Nature Forward at a rally for responsible data center development in Prince George's County that's getting underway now!

WUSA9 with the latest on data centers in Prince George’s County (see last night’s video 👇). Nature Forward & residents will rally TODAY at noon for responsible development. The Qualified Data Center Taskforce meeting follows at 1 PM. 📺 Watch live: pgccouncil.us/LIVE

The recommended reading list for U.S. Conservation History features books that have inspired generations of nature lovers and activists. Passionate about learning from the past to shape a better future? Then this 10-week course is for you. Details: campscui.active.com/orgs/NatureF...

On Saturday, Nature Forward, partner organizations, and elected officials held a rally at the Vienna Town Green to show support for protecting trees along the W&OD Trail. Hear directly from a bicyclist who was there!

On Saturday, Nature Forward, partner organizations, and elected officials held a rally at the Vienna Town Green to show support for protecting trees along the W&OD Trail. Hear directly from our colleague who was there!

It’s the first week of Nature Preschool here at Woodend Nature Sanctuary! We begin our year with two “soft start days”. Welcome back, Saplings and Oaks!

As attacks on diversity & inclusion continue, understanding history is vital. Join Eliza Cava for a deep dive into U.S. Conservation History. The past can guide our advocacy today. 🔗 Details: campscui.active.com/orgs/NatureF...

Happening TODAY! Nature Forward and our partners are rallying to stop Dominion Energy from clear-cutting trees along the W&OD trail. If you live in Northern Virginia, sign the petition to #StoptheChop! waba.org/action-page/...

Nature Forward members! Join us for our annual meeting featuring a compelling talk on “Data Centers & Climate” by Conservation Director Lydia Lawrence — plus so much more. Please RSVP at give.natureforward.org/AMM25 by Friday, 10/17.

So excited for Autumn Lights on Nov. 22! 🌟🍂 Details: natureforward.org/autumn-light...

18 weeks of data! The dry weather seems to be producing a lot of green spots on our graph. Special TY to our volunteers and partners: Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Anacostia Riverkeeper, Rock Creek Conservancy, @doeedc.bsky.social & @mayorbowser.bsky.social #WhatsInTheWater #DCCitizenScience

So excited for Coast to Cascades Bird Alliance (formerly Lane County Audubon Society) for changing its name and joining the renaming movement! Congrats on a great name! www.opb.org/article/2025...

Throwing it back to 2022! We closed that year’s #NaturallyLatinos with a bilingual Forest Bathing session — connecting with #Pachamama, #MotherNature, and each other. We’re excited for the 2026 gathering! Nature Forward welcomes your input. Survey🔗 forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

Happy National Wildlife Day! If you could be any creature in the wild, what would you be? Photos by Jane Gamble

Good afternoon, this week’s episode of Monday Morning Meandering is about our native fruit bearing tree, the paw paw (Asimina triloba)! 🌿youtube.com/shorts/B6oIU...

Happy Back-to-School season to all the Maryland educators! As the Nature Preschool prepares the classrooms to welcome families this week to Woodend Nature Sanctuary, Nature Forward Preschool Teacher Amy Beam taught our teaching team how to create beautiful wrapped rocks!

Rally Against Widespread Tree Removal On W&OD Trail Planned In Vienna Several local groups (including Nature Forward) are seeking an end to Dominion Energy's tree clearing, which has already affected a section around Vienna. Story 🔗 patch.com/virginia/vie...

Martha, the last Passenger Pigeon died on #OTD in 1914. The Passenger Pigeon had been the most abundant species of bird in North America. Its extinction helped to inspire our modern conservation ethic. Source: s.si.edu/3UVTVGL

Happy Labor Day! Hope it’s a peaceful one for all creatures, great and small.

Join us on Saturday, Sept 6 at 10 AM at the Vienna Town Green to celebrate the W&OD Trail and call attention to the devastating impacts of Dominion's tree-cutting. We demand to stop tree cutting and negotiate a new agreement on the tree maintenance policies. www.eventbrite.com/e/rally-for-...

20 years later. We still remember Hurricane Katina. We must honor the many lives lost while fighting for justice to ensure that the lessons learned guide us every day. We join our partners for a Moment of Silence at 11:20 AM CT today. Visit www.katrina20.com for more information.

This story features reflections from Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., President and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus. We were honored to welcome him to the #TakingNatureBlack stage. A true visionary, Rev. Yearwood is using the power of Hip Hop culture to mobilize communities around environmental justice.

RSVP here: www.smartergrowth.net/virginia/fau...